(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and Co-Chairman Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), will hold a hearing on Wednesday, February 13 at 11:00 a.m. in room B-318 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilkka Kanerva, will testify before the Helsinki Commission in his capacity as Chairman-in-Office of the 56-nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for 2008.

The hearing entitled, “Finland’s Leadership of the OSCE,” will focus on Finland’s plans and priorities as well as challenges confronting the OSCE in 2008 and beyond. Additionally, the hearing is expected to address election observation activities by the OSCE; prospects for OSCE continued engagement in Kosovo; ongoing initiatives to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance; and the CFE Treaty.

The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, is a U.S. Government agency that monitors progress in the implementation of the provisions of the 1975 Helsinki Accords. The Commission consists of nine members from the United States Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce.